Cap senior FM food

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management $257,014 on October 1, 2025, under the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (CFDA 10.576) to provide low-income seniors with benefits exchangeable for fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and fresh-cut herbs at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture operations.

The award covers the federal fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, with performance occurring in Rhode Island. RIDEM, as the state agency recipient, administers the program in accordance with a state plan of operations submitted to the Food and Nutrition Service for approval. The agency maintains records of benefit issuance and redemption, authorized outlet agreements and monitoring, and nutrition education activities, with records retained for a minimum of three years following submission of final expenditure reports.